Apparatus for coupling between the ends of two pipe pieces with a selectable angle formed therebetween

ABSTRACT

A connector joins two handrail ends to each other at a user selectable angle. This is accomplished by forming the connector to support attachment to the handrail ends while providing a pivoting joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount to one handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to mount to another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/570,889 filed Dec. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hardware associated with handrail installations and more particularly to an apparatus for coupling the ends of two handrail members together with an installer selectable angle formed therebetween.

2. Description of Related Art

In many handrail installations, it is necessary to couple two handrail members together at an angle. An example of such an installation concerns the handrail where steps (or stairs) meet a landing or with the use of a ramp. At that location, the handrail must transition from a horizontal orientation associated with the landing to a non-horizontal orientation associated with the steps/ramp. This installation may typically be accomplished by in accordance with prior art techniques by bending the handrail to the angle needed for the horizontal to non-horizontal transition. Achieving the correct bend angle can be challenging. Alternatively, two separate handrail members may be angle cut and the angle cut ends attached to each other, for example by welding. Achieving the correct angle cuts can be challenging.

There is a need in the art for an easier way to couple the ends of two handrail members to each other at a selectable angle.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a first coupling member having a first pipe coupling end and a first interconnect end; a second coupling member having a second pipe coupling end and a second interconnect end; and means for coupling the first interconnect end to the second interconnect end in a manner which permits selection and setting of a coupling angle.

In an embodiment, a handrail ends are joined to each other at a user selectable angle by a connector apparatus that provides a pivoting joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount to one handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to mount to another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.

In an embodiment, a connector configured to join ends of two tubular members at a user selectable angle comprises: a first coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a first one of the tubular members and having a second end including a concave socket surface and a threaded aperture formed in a center of the concave socket surface; a second coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a second one of the tubular members and a second end including a convex ball surface and a radial slot formed extending from a center of the convex ball surface; an interconnection member having a first end pivotally coupled to the second coupling member and a second end threadedly engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling member, the interconnection member extending through the radial slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1-5 are perspective views of an apparatus for coupling between the ends of two pipe members with a selectable angle formed therebetween;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5 at a first orientation angle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in the configuration shown by FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5 at a second orientation angle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in the configuration shown by FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective phantom illustration of the apparatus; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate use of the apparatus for coupling between the ends of two pipe members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which shows a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for coupling between the ends of two pipe members 12 and 14 (shown in phantom) with a selectable angle formed therebetween. The apparatus 10 comprises a first coupling member 16 and a second coupling member 26. FIGS. 11A and 11B shown more details concerning the coupling operation performed by the apparatus between the ends of two pipe members 12 and 14 (shown in phantom) with a selectable angle formed therebetween.

The first coupling member 16 is formed of a generally cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 18 and an interconnect end 20. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 20. Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 12 such than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe member 12 to the first coupling member 16 may be accomplished. The outer surface of the pipe coupling end 18 is formed to include a plurality of axially extending ridges 22 with the outer surface of each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 and the ridges 22 supporting the function for interference or press fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the interconnect end 20 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe member 12 so as to support a flush surface interface between the pipe member 12 and the first coupling member 16.

The second coupling member 26 is formed of a generally cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 28 and an interconnect end 30. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 30. Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 14 such than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe member 14 to the second coupling member 26 may be accomplished. The outer surface of the pipe coupling end 28 is formed to include a plurality of axially extending ridges 32 with the outer surface of each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 and the ridges 32 supporting the function for interference or press fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the interconnect end 30 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe member 14 so as to support a flush surface interface between the pipe member 14 and the second coupling member 26.

The first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 are coupled together in a ball-and-socket joint 40. Specifically, the interconnect end 20 of the first coupling member 16 defines a socket 42 and the interconnect end 30 of the second coupling member 26 defines the ball 44 (see, FIGS. 4-6). FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the ball-and-socket joint 40 in an un-tightened state (which permits the user to set the angle between the first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26), while FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the ball-socket joint 40 in a tightened state where the angle between the first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 has been set).

FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the apparatus 10 at orientations different from that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is also a perspective view of an apparatus 10, with an orientation that facilitates viewing of the socket 42. FIG. 4 additionally shows a portion of an interconnect member 50 which is used in coupling and tightening first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 together.

FIG. 5 is also a perspective view of an apparatus 10, with an orientation that facilitates viewing of the ball 44. FIG. 5 additionally shows a portion of the interconnect member 50 which is used in coupling and tightening first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 together. The ball 44 surface includes a slot 52 through which the interconnect member 50 passes. The angular extent of the slot 50 defines a permitted range of angular movement of the first coupling member 16 relative to the second coupling member 26. In a preferred embodiment, the slot 52 extends over 40-60 degrees of the ball 44 surface.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 at a first orientation angle. This cross-sectional illustration shows the setting of a 180 degree angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member 26, and further shows the ball-and-socket joint 40 in a tightened state. Associated with the socket 42 of the first coupling member 16 is a socket collar 60. An axial bore 62 is formed in the socket collar 60 and that bore 62 is threaded to mate with a threaded end of the interconnect member 50. Associated with the ball 44 of the second coupling member 26 is a ball collar 64. The slot 52 is formed in the ball collar 64. The ball collar 64 further includes a means for pivotally securing a first end of the interconnect member 50. The interconnect member 50 has an L-shape. A first leg 66 of the interconnect member 50 in a preferred implementation is not threaded and is retained with a retention slot 68 of the ball collar 64. A second leg 70 of the interconnect member 50 in a preferred implementation is threaded to present the threaded end of the interconnect member 50 that mates with the threaded bore 62 of the socket collar 60.

As mentioned above, FIG. 6 shows the ball-socket joint 40 in a tightened state. When in the tightened state, the ball 44 surface is in contact with the socket 42 surface, and this frictional contact relationship resists change in the orientation angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member 26. To un-tighten the ball-and-socket joint 40, the first coupling member 16 is rotated relative to the second coupling member 26 so as to un-screw the threaded end of the interconnect member 50 within the threaded bore 62. There is no need to completely remove the threaded end of the interconnect member 50 from the threaded bore 62. Rather, it will suffice to simply loosen the attachment between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member 26 until the frictional contact is released. Once the ball-and-socket joint 40 is loosened to the un-tightened state, the user may manipulate the angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member 26. The first leg 66 of the interconnect member 50 will pivot within the retention slot 68 of the ball collar 64 and the second leg 70 of the interconnect member 50 will move along the slot 52 is formed in the ball collar 64 (see, also, FIG. 10). Once a desired angular orientation is selected, the user may then rotate the first coupling member 16 relative to the second coupling member 26 so as to screw the threaded end of the interconnect member 50 within the threaded bore 62.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 in the configuration shown by FIG. 6 with the first coupling member 16 illustrated in phantom. The relationship between the slot 52 and the ball 44 surface is more clearly shown. Additionally, the angular extent of the slot 50 which defines the permitted range of angular movement of the first coupling member 16 relative to the second coupling member 26 is more clearly shown.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further show an alternative implementation for the outer surfaces of the pipe coupling ends 18 and 28 of the first and second coupling members 16 and 26 as smooth surfaces (i.e., there is no use of ridges 22 and 32 as in FIG. 1).

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 at a second orientation angle. This cross-sectional illustration shows the setting of an obtuse angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member 26, and further shows the ball-and-socket joint 40 in a tightened state. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 in the configuration shown by FIG. 8 with the first coupling member 16 illustrated in phantom. FIG. 10 shows the full apparatus in phantom.

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus, comprising: a first coupling member having a first pipe coupling end and a first interconnect end; a second coupling member having a second pipe coupling end and a second interconnect end; and means for coupling the first interconnect end to the second interconnect end in a manner which permits selection and setting of a coupling angle.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling comprises a ball and socket joint.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first interconnect end and second interconnect end are each adapted to support connection to a handrail end.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the adaptation comprises each of the first interconnect end and second interconnect end having a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter sized substantially the same as an inner diameter of the handrail end.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the adaptation further comprises a plurality of axially extending ridges at the first interconnect end and second interconnect end.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized to be interference fit within the handrail end.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized to be press fit within the handrail end.
 8. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling comprises an interconnect shaft having a first end pivotally mounted to the first interconnect end and a second end threadedly mounted to the second interconnect end.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the means for coupling further comprises a slot opening formed in the first interconnect end through which the interconnect shaft passes and a threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end to which the through the second end of the interconnect shaft is threadedly connected.
 10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the means for coupling comprises a ball surface formed at the first interconnect end and socket surface formed at the second interconnect end.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the ball surface and socket surface generally conform to each other.
 12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein tightening of the threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end brings the ball surface and socket surface into contact with each other.
 13. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein untightening of the threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end releases contact between the ball surface and socket surface and permits the first end of the interconnect shaft to pivotally move while the interconnect shaft moves in the slot opening formed in the first interconnect end.
 14. A connector for joining two handrail ends to each other at a user selectable angle, comprising: a first coupling member configured to mount to one handrail end; a second coupling member configured to mount to another handrail end; a pivoting joint formed between the first coupling member and second coupling member, said pivoting joint provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint including a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft that passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.
 15. A connector configured to join ends of two tubular members at a user selectable angle, comprising: a first coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a first one of the tubular members and having a second end including a concave socket surface and a threaded aperture formed in a center of the concave socket surface; a second coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a second one of the tubular members and a second end including a convex ball surface and a radial slot formed extending from a center of the convex ball surface; an interconnection member having a first end pivotally coupled to the second coupling member and a second end threadedly engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling member, the interconnection member extending through the radial slot.
 16. The connector of claim 15, wherein a tightening of the interconnection member through the threaded engagement causes the convex ball surface to frictionally engage the convex socket surface.
 17. The connector of claim 15, wherein a loosening of the interconnection member through the threaded engagement permits pivoting of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member.
 18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said pivoting is made about the pivotally coupled first end of the interconnection member. 